Brenthaven markets the Sling II to the "urban mobile professional," but the 15.4-inch laptop case's metallic silver and black color scheme seems more fitting for college students than businessmen.
Brenthaven claims that the bag can accommodate notebooks up to 15.4-inches, though the three 15.4-inch Windows-based notebooks I tried were too thick to fit. I also tested the bag with a brand new MacBook Pro, but fitting the Apple notebook into the Sling II took way too much effort.
If you're lucky enough to own a notebook that fits (14.1 and 15.0-inch computers will work just fine), you can depend on foam padding to keep your goods safe on all four sides. The bag can accommodate laptops with displays as small as 14-inches, though smaller computers won't be as secure.
If you're a gadget freak like me, you'll find a home for all your goodies among the bag's eight zippered pockets. There's also a handy pouch towards the top of the sling strap, providing easy access to your MP3 player, cell phone, or pocket-sized digital camera.
Students will find storage for pens and pencils, calculators, and even a set of gym clothes and sneakers. Professionals can use the bag for overnight trips as well, with enough storage for small clothing items and toiletries in the main compartment. A dedicated water bottle holder zips closed when not in use.
Rotating the bag to access the main compartment without removing the Sling II from your back may require a bit of effort when holding a laptop and a variety of other items, though it's certainly possible to do so. You can hide away the sling strap when not in use, with a top handle making it easy to carry the bag for short distances.
Commuters will find the bag to be comfortable, even when carrying a heavy load. With padding in all the right places, the Sling II won't wear you down on long walks on campus or through the city. My only design complaint relates to the lower half of the sling strap: without a restraining sleeve, the adjustable strap seems to flop around, but only becomes a problem when there's a lot of slack.
If you typically find sling bags to be convenient and comfortable, and have a laptop that fits, this bag won't disappoint. The Brenthaven Sling II is available in metallic silver for about $78 shipped on Amazon.com.
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